Pilot light



March 19, 1935.

c. 1. MATSON PILOT LIGHT Filed Sept. 1, 1932 Patented Mar. 19, 1935 assa PATENT oFFicr.

PILOT LIGHT Charles I. Matson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Imperial Brass Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 1, 1932, ScrialNo. 631,364

2 Claims;

The present invention relates to pilot lights, and more in particular to a novel construction of such a light adapted for use on gas ranges, water heaters, general industrial purposes, and in fact in any connection in which a pilot light is desired.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a pilot light having narrow lateral openings or slits for the entry of the proper amount of air to support combustion, but of a size which prevents or greatly minimizes the possibility of the pilot light being blown out or extinguished.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel construction of pilot light which is smaller in size than those now in use, requires .a less volume of gas but maintains. a larger and hotter flame with a greatly increased efficiency.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel screen construction adapted to form a mixing element and at the'same time acting as a shield to protect the flame against being blown out or extinguished. In the preferred embodiment, this screen or shield comprises'a coil made of relatively small wire of nickel-chrome, alundum or other suitable material which will withstand high temperatures.

A further object of the inventionis the provision or employment of a coil of wire to; form the mixing element of a pilot light, and which at the same time acts as a shield to protect the light against being blown out. This construction of pilot light will withstand a greater flashback than those now in general use. 7

A still further object'of the invention is the provision in a pilot light, of a coil of wire of some heat resisting material in which the wire which becomes white hot in normal operation, makes the pilot more visible and ignites a much leaner mixture of gas than is possible with the present constructions.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a novel pilot light provided with a threaded base or nipple adapted to be connected to or mounted in a gas supply line or pipe,'and at its upper end provided with spaced slits or longitudinally extending openings. In the preferred form, a coil of wire is mounted within or on this base or nipple, although'as disclosed in the alternate structures, the coil need not necessarily be employed as these slits or openings permit the entrance of the requisite amount of air to support combustion.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangements of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and 60-: prehends other details and constructions, without departing. from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a gas supply pipe provided with a novel con-' struction of pilot light and communicating with a burner which is shown in vertical cross section. Fig. 2 is a View in vertical cross section through the pilot light disclosed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the pilot light.

i Fig. 4 is a view, part in side elevation, and part in vertical cross section, of an alternate construction of pilot light.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another alternate construction of pilot light.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the pilot light disclosed in Fig. 5."

' Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5, but of a further alternate construction of pilot light.

' Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, Fig. l-is disclosed a gas burner 1 provided with gas discharge openings 2 in the upper surface thereof, and a gas discharge opening 3 in the side wall thereof communicating with a pipe lleading from the opening 3 to adjacent a pilot light 5 mounted in the gas line 6. Thus in lighting the burner 1, gas escaping from the opening 3 and passing into the pipe 4 will be ignited by the burner 5 and there will be a flashback to ignite the burner 1.

In Figs. 2 and 3, the burner 5 is disclosed on an enlarged scale. This burner comprises a base or nipple 7 which is externally threaded whereby the same is adapted to be mounted in the gas line 6. This nipple is provided with a central opening 8 for the passage of gas from the gas line to the mixing chamber of the pilot light where it is ignited.

The nipple or base is provided at its upper edge with spaced slits or openings 9. A coil 10 is adapted to seat Within the projections 11 formed intermediate the openings 9. The turns of the coil provide spaced lateral openings or slits 12 therebetween for the entrance of air to support combustion. These openings 12 along with opentemperatures.

, chrome, alundum or the like, and in the preferred form, this wire is normally of a size approximately 25 B 85 S wire gage. In numerous tests which have been conducted, it has been found that the gas burns with a blue smokeless flame, and even though the pilot light is considerably smaller than those now in general use, the flame is larger and the heat of greater intensity because of the proper air and gas mixture. The coil which becomes white hot, makes the pilot more visible and ignites a much leaner mixture of gas than the lights now being employed.

In Fig. 4 is disclosed a modification of an alternate construction in which the nipple or base 13 is provided with a similar gas discharge opening 8 and the upper end or" the nipple is provided with spaced slits or openings 9. In this form, the coil 14 is mounted on the exterior of the nipple and at its upper end 15 is substantially cone-shaped.

The function and operation of this construction is similar to the form disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Although the two forms disclosed in Figs; 1 to 4 inclusive employ a coil of wire and the efiiciency of the construction is increased thereby, nevertheless, it is to be understood that this coil need not be employed since the openings 9 will permit the entry of a requisite amount of air which is, mixed with the escaping gas to provide a combustible mixture. Thus, should either of the coils -10 or 14 become disengaged from their unit, the pilot light will continue to function. Although these coils are disclosed as separate units or elements, so that they may be readily assembled, disassembled or replaced as desired, it is to be understood that they may be anchored in position if so required or desired.

In Figs. and 6 is disclosed a further alternate construction in which the base or nipple 16 is provided at its upper end with a plurality of spaced prongs or projections 1'7 forming elongated slits or openings 18 intermediate thesame. In this form the slits or elongated openings 18 permit entry of a requisite amount of air and. cause the mixing of the air with the escaping ga to form thecombustible mixture.

In Fig. 7 is disclosed'a still further alternate construction in which the base or nipple 19 is made separate from the upper portion, this latter portion forming a dome 20 provided with a plurality of spaced slots or openings 21 intermediate bars or projections 22. This dome may be made of nickel-chrome, alundum or other material capable of withstanding high temperatures I and seats upon a shoulder 23.

In the structures shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the spaced slots 9 permit the insertion of a screw driver or other tool for turning the base or nipple. The interior of this base or nipple may be provided with a depression 24 tapering toward the gasdischarge port 8 as shown in Fig. 2; or it may taper downwardly away from this opening as shown'at 25 in Figs. 4 and 5; or if so desired the upper portion of the nipple may be fiat as shown at 26 in Fig. '7. In the forms shown in Figs. "land 5 any dust particles entering the burner will deposit in the depression 25 which slopes away from the gas discharge port.

The drawing discloses the pilotlight greatly enlarged and it is to be understood that these lights are substantially smaller than those now in use. In the forms disclosed, the gas discharge opening 3 is substantially one-thirty-second' inch or less in diameter, although'it is to be understood that the size of this'opening as well as the remaining structure of the. pilot light may vary in accordan'cewith the condition and service required-.

It is believed that it will be readily seen that the present invention provides a novel construction of pilot light for use-in gas ranges, water heaters,-general'industrial purposes, and in fact in any connection in which a pilot light is desired or required.

Having thus disclosed the invention, 1 claim 1. A pilot light for gas burners and the like, comprising a member'adapted to be mounted in a gas line and communicating therewith through a small opening, spaced slits provided in the upper portion of said member, and an element mounted on said member and provided with spaced lateral openings for the'entry of air to support combustion.

2. A pilot light for, gas burners and. the like, comprising a member adapted to be mounted in a'gas line and communicating there-with through a'small opening, spaced'slits provided in the upper portionvof said meinber, and a coil mounted on said member and associated with said slitsfor the entry of air and to provide a wind screen for the flame.

., CHARLES. I- MATSON. 

